Currently Obsessed: Cover FX Custom Infusion Drops.

You know when you are sticking to your beauty routine but you feel like something is missing but you can't quite put your finger on it? Well, that is probably due to the fact that your skins needs change from one day to the next. One day is it dull and lackluster, another day it is super dry.  It's nearly impossible to change out your products everyday unless you have a beauty closet stocked with every product imaginable. That's where the new Cover FX Custom Infusion Drops come in. These serum-like drops add a concentrated boost of essential oils and vitamins to whatever products you're already using to create a customized solution based upon your skins needs.

I'm pretty much obsessed with these Custom Infusion Drops and I have honestly been using a different one each day depending on what I feel like my skins concerns are. There are four different formulas, which I am going to describe below. I've also been known to mix two different drops in at the same time — you'll know why when you see the descriptions below.

Here are the four Custom Infusion Drops targeted formulas:

A + Jasmine: Anti-Aging - These Drops are enriched with Vitamin A to support natural cell turnover. This will help to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time no matter what type of other treatment product you are using. The Jasmine oil helps boost skin hydration.

C + Lemongrass: Radiance - These Drops contain Lemongrass to help tone the skin along with Vitamin C (which you know I love) to help brighten dull skin.

E + Chamomile: Calming - These Drops contain Vitamin E and Chamomile which are both comforting ingredients to help nourish and sooth the skin.

F + Neroli: Hydrating - With concentrated Vitamin F, Neroli oil and Sodium Hyaluronate, these Drops help the skin to better hold onto moisture and improve its' elasticity.

The Custom Infusion Drops are easy to use. Simply put whatever skin care product you are going to use (moisturizer, serum, oil, etc.) into the palm of your hand, drop in one Custom Infusion Drop, mix with your fingertip and apply as usual. This will give you a customized and transformed treatment product.

As I am obviously quite concerned with aging, I tend to use the A + Drops often. I usually add this Custom Infusion Drop into whatever night cream I am using. I use the F + Drop probably the most because I'm all about the extra added moisture and skin plumping effect that I get from this Custom Infusion Drop. I like mixing both of these at night, but use the F + Drop on it's own during the day a lot as well. When I am lacking on the sleep, I use the C + Drops and when my skin is stressed (after I use a beauty tool or after a peel or facial) I mix in the E + Drops.

Buy the Custom Infusion Drops at coverfx.com and Sephora. Each bottle sells for $48.

Skin Care Resolutions.

SPONSORED

While resolutions are top of mind at the start of the year, I take stock in a few things as far as my overall beauty regimen goes. I try to learn from the past year; what did I do right and what did I do wrong? I concentrated a lot on my skin last year and it is looking better than ever. I want to continue on that trend but make it even better this year. My neck needs extra help as do other parts of my body. I am making a list of skin care resolutions and I am going to implement them to make my skin its best yet.

My skin care resolutions for 2016!

Sunscreen All Over

I feel like this is a given and I do wear sunscreen on my face and neck every day but I'm not so great about it on my body. I'm noticing some age spots on my hands and my body tans fairly easily now which I know is not a good sign. I spend a lot of time in Florida and I'm getting a lot of my sun from indirect sunlight. You see, I only put on sunscreen when heading out to the pool or beach and I need to make a concrete routine of applying sunscreen as I do my body lotion.  I use AVEENO Daily Moisturizing Lotion every day (love the new GENTLE SCENT™ Lotion) and just saw that they do have a version of the original with SPF. I'm going to switch mine out and start using that.

Drink More Water

I read and hear so much about about this. Is drinking more water really good for your skin? The evidence is mostly positive and I know that for me it's all good. When I drink 8 - 10 glasses of water a day, consistently, my skin simply looks better. I have this puffiness at the top of my cheeks/undereye area that I get when I don't drink enough water regularly. There is not much I can do for them except to stay adequately hydrated so I really need to concentrate on this.

Turn Down the Water Temperature

I love a long hot shower, especially in the winter, but this is not good for my skin. Taking a too hot shower is actually drying my skin out more. One look at my flaky arms and legs and you'd know that my showers are just too hot. One thing that I have been doing and resolve to continue to do is turn down the water temperature in my shower. Did you know that that 103ºF is the ideal water temperature for taking a shower?

Recent research presented at the annual American Academy of Dermatology meeting, focused on cleansing at different temperatures and found subjects with moderate skin dryness saw better results when washing with above average temperatures. A second study confirmed the original observation and determined that 103ºF (± 2ºF) was the ideal temperature range for maintaining optimum skin condition.

I know my water temperature in my shower because I have the Delta Temp2O showerhead installed in my shower. This showerhead (with six spray heads and multiple settings) uses Temp2O technology to tell me what the water temperature of my shower is. With its unique color changing digital temperature display, I know if my water temperature is too hot, too cold or just right. I make sure to adjust my water so that I am in the Magenta color range and I know that my skin is safe.

Before knowing the proper setting and taking a really hot shower, my Delta Temp2O showerhead was giving me a reading in the Red color range. I knew that was too hot. By simply dialing down my nozzle just ever so slightly (which I barely notice) into the safer Magenta range and 103 perfect setting, I know I am not damaging my skin.

Find a Good Serum + Stick with It

I am constantly searching for a good all around serum for daytime use. I seem to have good targeted serums that I use at night, but I really need to find one for the day to use each and everyday. I'm thinking an antioxidant serum is important and of course, something with hyaluronic acid. I just started using a brand new serum KaneNY SERUM SAVANT™ and I'm liking it so far. This serum uses the brands proprietary Halo-C complex so it penetrates deeper into the skin than other leading brands. It actually helps to pull other active ingredients right to the skin’s source too. It seems to really plump up my skin and fill in and soften my lines. I like how smooth my skin feels when using; I just need to stick with it!

Wash Makeup Brushes Weekly

It's a fact that makeup brushes spread dirt, oil and bacteria and that is just not good for the skin.  I clean my makeup brushes pretty regularly, but not as often as I should. I really need to make my makeup brush washing a weekly thing and I am going to start making it a part of my Sunday spa night ritual. Weekly brush cleaning doesn't have to be a chore with the right brush cleaner. I like IT Cosmetics Brush Love and that is something that I use on the fly for my foundation and concealer brush (it's a spray, wipe and dry type of thing). For deeper makeup brush cleanings I usually use beautyblender blendercleanser® solid.  Using clean makeup brushes leads to overall better skin health.

Are you going to do anything special for your skin this year? Join me and let's make 2016 the best year for our skin.

Post sponsored by Delta faucet. Opinions are 100% my own.

10 Must Have Makeup Palettes for the New Year!

This is the time of year when I edit the makeup bag and makeup drawers to make room for everything new. And with so many new makeup launches, it's not hard. The brands have been fast and furious with the new launches as of late and one thing that they have been coming out with are palettes. There are so many new makeup palettes out! Makeup palettes are such a great way to get a lot of makeup at a great value. From palettes with new shades or popular shades of shadow, great shades of blush or contour, or even an entire face of makeup, palettes have SO much to offer. These are the makeup palettes that I have or palettes that have caught my eye so far this year; I consider these the top 10 must haves palettes for 2016!

1. NARS NARSissist L'amour Toujours Eyeshadow Palette - $59
This just launched eyeshadow palette features 12 must-have eyeshadow shades. It contains four large everyday neutrals and eight smaller rich accent shades in NARS wonderfully pigmented shadow formula. Buy it from narscosmetics.com. It will be available at Sephora on 2/1/16.

2. Urban Decay UD X Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette - $58
I don't know how many times I've mentioned this palette already, but I know it's been quite a lot! (complete review) I love this palette and highly recommend this mostly neutral eyeshadow palette. The shadows are highly pigmented neutrals with a few pops of colors thrown in for nighttime. They are super silky and long-wearing. Buy it from urbandecay.com, Sephora, Macy's or Nordstrom.

3. Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons Palette - $49
The third installment in the Chocolate Bar Eye Shadow Collection is this amazing 16 pan eyeshadow palette. As Too Faced does best, these shadows are enriched with real cocoa powder! This palette includes two all-time faves and 14 new shades in a mix of neutrals and some stunning brights.  Buy it from toofaced.com, Sephora or Macy's.

4. Tarte Tartelette In Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette - $45
I love the luxe feel of Tarte's Clay Eyeshadows and this palettes contains 12 all new on-trend shades. Ranging from the light cream to dark brown, this is a natural girls dream. The shades are mostly mattes, but super silky and blendable like only Tarte does plus a few lustre shades. I have this on my to-buy list. Buy this from tartecosmetics.com or Sephora.

5. COVERGIRL truNAKED Eyeshadow Palette - $11.49
I am so impressed by this eight pan eyeshadow palette and I'm wondering what the heck took CG so long to create a multi-pan palette! This winner comes in your choice of three color families (Nudes, Goldens or Roses) filled with very blendable, long-wearing highly pigmented shades. I have the Nude palette and have been using it almost daily since I received it. I plan to buy the others as well. Buy it from your favorite drugstore like CVS or Walgreens or mass retailer.

6. NARS NARSissist Hide and Cheek Cheek Studio Palette - $65
The ultimate cheek palette made with NARS' iconic blush formula, this one is filled with some of the brand most loved cult classics and limited edition shades including Laguna for bronzing. This is a Sephora exclusive so buy it there beginning 2/1/16.

7. Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Cream Kit - $40
This contour kit launched late last year but it's on my must haves for the new year as really is a must have. It's cream! This palette offers a subtler way to highlight and contour the face with ease. I love how user friendly this is to use. I like to use my fingers to apply and use a Beautyblender to blend. Buy it from Sephora or Macy's.

8. Smashbox Be Legendary 25th Anniversary Lipstick Palette - $75
I've never seen anything like this lipstick palette before. Usually lipstick palettes are customized by makeup artists so this 25 pan lipstick palette is super special. Yes, this palette has 25 different creamy pigmented lipsticks in it. These lippies aren't for the faint of heart either! The colors are mostly bold and all beautiful. Buy it from smashbox.com, Sephora or Macy's.

9. BUXOM Eyeshadow Bar Suede Seduction Palette - $40
With six nude shades in a primer-infused lid-loving matte formula, this palette is perfect for everyday. I love that these colors don't budge all day long. Buy it from Sephora.

10. Bobbi Brown Sterling Nights Eye Palette - $75
I love Bobbi's shadow palettes and I always invest in one each season. This season it's the Sterling Nights Eye Palette with nine beautiful shades that range from neutral to bold. I like that there are a mix of matte, shimmer and sparkles in the palette so any look is possible. This is a great one for travel becasue I can create an everyday or evening look with it. Buy it from bobbibrown.com, Nordstrom, Macy's or Sephora.